Posture improving device



7, 1956 F. D. CASON 2,771,875

POSTURE IMPROVING DEVICE Filed Oct. 5]., 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.fa fbrre sifl C6592? 5 BY z w Nov. 27, 1956 F. D. cAsoN POSTUREIMPROVING DEVICE 2 a g m .6 M. a a .f m 5 al 2 W 8 v 4/ 7 1 7 6 w L m wl 3 c 0 d e U F INVENTOR. ForresfD. C650]? United States Patent POSTUREIMPROVING DEVICE Forrest D. Cason, San Antonio, Tex.

Application October 31, 1951, Serial No. 254,023

16 Claims. (Cl. 12844) The present invention relates to means and methodfor the correction of defective posture.

It is an object of the invention to provide means to relax completelythe muscles of the body.

It is an object of the invention to relax particularly those muscles ofthe body which are related to posture and are under a more or lesscontinuous strain.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus to move the bonystructure comfortably in such a manner as to assist the body in therestoration of posture to normal.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device upon which the bodymay be placed in a reclining position, the pelvis elevated, the headraised and the back arched, relaxing the muscles in the abdominal area.

Upon the departure of the pelvis from the vertical plane by sloping ortilting forward, the base of the spine or the base of the sacruminclines forward also carrying the lower vertebra forward with it. Underthese conditions it is necessary for the normal curves of the upperspine to change so the body can maintain its equilibrium. Thisadaptation necessitates a change in the position and action of themuscles together with the position of the internal organs and results.in a body unable to function properly. The change in the position ofthe bony structure increases the distance between the origin andinsertion of many muscles, placing them under continuous strain. Withthis continuous strain added to the normal demands of living thesemuscles tire easily. Other muscles have the distance between theirorigin and insertion reduced and lose much of their function. From theabove it may be seen that in many cases the posture is an indication ofgeneral bodily health. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention tomove and manipulate the bony structure in such a way as to assist thebody in the restoration of posture to normal by relaxing the strainedmuscles and restoring tone to others by giving them their share of thebodily load.

To achieve the above result the machine incorporating the invention isso constructed that when the body is placed on it in a recliningposition, the pelvis is elevated on a posterior incline above the lowpoint of the spine and the head is raised. This arrangement arches theback and relaxes the muscles in the abdominal area. In this position theweight of the body in the pelvic region rests on theischial-tuberosities and exerts a force which tends to return the pelvisto the vertical plane. The tuberosities act as pivots for the pelvicrotation. It is desired to have the shoulders and thorasic region of thebody recline on a slope of about thirty degrees above the horizontalwith the weight supported on two parallel raised surfaces which exert anupward and inward force on the ribs at a point removed from thetransverse processes of the vertebrae, allowing freedom of movement tothe articulations of the vertebrae of the spine.

The head and neck are preferably supported by an adjustable head rest.The thighs are held in an adjustable movable framework which holds thelegs in a comfortable position so that the maximum relaxation of themuscles can be obtained.

The posterior incline supporting the pelvis and the adjustable frameworkfor the thighs are both carried by a reciprocating platform mounted onrollers.

The machine may be operated with two electric motors. A small motor ofabout one twenty-fifth horsepower with an eccentric load on its shaft ismounted beneath the thigh rest and imparts a vibratory movement throughthe framework to the inner, outer and the hamstrung muscles which arerelaxed and release their downward pull on the pelvis.

A larger motor of about a quarter horsepower reciprocates the platformon which the pelvis and thigh supports are mounted. The reciprocation ofthe platform on wheels or rollers to and from the head rest imparts anupward as well as headward movement to the pelvis because of therotation of the pelvic rest under the action of a pivoted lever. Thismovement gently rocks the pelvis back to normal position. The abovereciprocation also has a flexing and relaxing action on the spine in itsarched position between the fixed head rest and the moving pelvic rest.The amount of movement applied is completely adjustable both in thedisplacement of the platform and length of the pivoted link and is to bedetermined by the number of spinal segments free for adaptations.

The cyclic movement of the spinal segments and the flexing and relaxingof the muscles attached to the spinal segments coupled with the pelvicmovement relieves the strain on all these muscles, allows an amplesupply of blood to bathe the muscle fibers and yields a progressiveincrease of movement in all articulations. It has also been found thatthe cartilage between the spinal segments regains more and more of itsnormal elasticity. All surfaces of the machine are carefully upholsteredwith foam rubber which applies the forces resulting from the movement ofthe machine gently to the body without substantial slipping and acts asa lost motion adjustment which absorbs that portion of the motion of themachine which the body is unable to follow due to lack of elasticity.This light gripping action eliminates friction burns due to repeatedsliding. It is emphasized that the motions of the machine must becapable of delicate adjustments or grave harm may be done to the jointsand ligaments in many cases.

Under treatment by the machine With the cyclic movement of flexing andrelaxing the muscles receive an ample supply of fresh blood and are ableto assume new positions progressively toward normal as the vertebrae arefreed of adaptations and the body increasingly regains normal postureand balance.

From the above it will appear that it will be an object of the inventionto provide apparatus having a thigh rest adjustable in size mounted onsponge rubber, which engages the outer, inner and hamstrung muscles ofthe upper thigh with a small motor having an eccentric load mountedunderneath which imparts vibratory movement to the muscles of the upperthigh, causing them to relax and to release the downward and forwardpull they exert on the pelvis when strained or maladjusted.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus having areciprocable horizontal surface mounting a pivoted pelvic inclinedsupport and a thigh rest supporting the lower portion of the body to usethe ischialtuberosities of the pelvis as a leverage to rock the pelvistoward a vertical position and flex the spine, moving the segments andarticulations.

It is an object of the invention to provide a rest for the pelvis on anincline which has its low portion toward anvas the"head,-'- with raisedsurfaces which support the weight of-the-pelvis-andlumbar-regiorrontheischiahtuberosities and the apex of the sacrurmsothat the pelvis posterior is rocked toward normal under both the actionof gravity andthe effect-of the 'eyclic-upward' and-=headward movementofthe distal edgeofthe pelvic-rest--which-also causes a posterior flexingof the spine.

lt is an 'objectrof the invention to-provide--an incline slopingupwardly toward the head and providing support for the shouldersandback-by means-oftwo parallel raised -surfaces that areso-spacedthat theyexert an upward and'inward forceon the'ribs just distal tothe-transverseproce-ssesbfthe vertebrae giving freedomof movement of the-articulationsin t-he cycliefiexing-of'the spine.

-lt is an object 'of' the invention to-providea head rest which nlay-beY positioned to 'suitthe height -of a patient, is adjustable for comfortand provides pad-support for theheadw'ith a sponge nubber pad at the-topserving to hold the headstationary and exerta' light pressure onthetopof-"the headto assistin the' flexing action of the spine in-=thecyclic headward-movement. "The sponge rubber pad at thetop'ofthehead'serves also toabsorbany portion of the headward movementnot taken up --bythe flexing action of the spine or movement of the bodyrelative to the reciprocating platform.

ln the drawings:

"Figure l'--is a perspective of one form of -thedevice.

Figure 2-is-a kinematic-detail; partly-in section of one form-of thereciprocation control.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspectiveof one form of headrest.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the head rest adjustment mechanismof-Figure l.

. Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view 'of the head rest of Figure3.

*Figure-6=- is-.-a fragmentary sectional view of the thigh rest.

Figure 7 is a fragrnentary sectional view of another thigh restconstruction.

iThe form of device embodying-the invention illustrated comprises aframework '10 of wood; angle-iron on tubing, having a=bed 11 supportedbyupright legs 12- and 13 and 14-braceddn a-suitable manner. Upright 14projects beyond bed-11 at=16 andserves to support the upper end ofheadincline 17 which is pivoted on bed 11 at 13. Head incline 17 makes an 1angle of about thirty degrees with" bed 11.

Atthe upper end of head incline 17 is mounted a'movable head .restinFigure 1 and 19 in Figure 3. Rest 19. has foam rubber. pads 20, 21 and22 .supportedbya frame work 23, the arms of which may be made resilient.Foam'rubber :pad: has about four. and a half inches'of fozuuzrubberso.asto. absorb the headward thrust of the cyclic movement .whichithe.elasticity of the body. cannot; acceptawithoutsdiscomfort. Frame123 issupported on;stern 24 which slides-within mounting 25 and may beadjusted by set screw 26. Mounting 25 is slidably held between runwayguides 27- andmay Jae-moved .up or down-head incline 17..to suitztheheight of;the patient being treated. 'Screwqmember' 28 servesto lockmounting. 25in any desired positionin guides 27 bya.wedging actionagainst. the walls-'of runway guides 27.

.Qn -head incline 17 outside ofguides. 27 are .two elongatc.pr ,ojectiug-.bars.--30 which extend. alongxthe middle half of incline 17;asshown;inFigure l. Barsf'30 provide parallel spaced ;surfaces which areso spaced that in reaction toithei-bodily-weight they exert an upwardand inward force on the ribs-justzdistal to the-transverse processes rof; the vertebrae.

:Bars: 30 are.:suitably upholstered with sheet sponge rubber andthewhole'ghead incline 17 iscovered with a suitable.moistureproofdayersuchlas any, of the plastic leather substitutes. Bars 30 are twoparallel lengths of woods an inchuand: a quartersquare covered-withsponge rubber. Theyhelp spring the :ribs npwardand forward,

cause movement and tend to correct adaptations of the ---r'rbs. This"increases "the capacity of the chest; giving more room for the lungs;;and heart. It is within the spirit of the invention to provide meansto adjust the angle of inclination of head incline 17 to bed 11.

A horizontally reciprocable platform 31 is preferably mounted on armspivoted to each corner thereof and to the bottom of frame 19 by:sealed-in-grease bearings 81. At the head .end ..of platform 31 pelvisrest-34 is pivoted at 35. The opposite end of rest 34 is connected tobed 12 by an adiustable link-3.6. Link 36 isapivoted at one end at .37.to pelvic rest. 34..and at .thecther end to bed 11 at"38. Felvic rest 34is arranged to oscillate-"about the position of -:approXimat.Q1Y .thirty.adegrees inclination to platform 31 and has a positive slope while headincline 17 has a negative slope.

A thigh rest 39 is mounted on platform 31 adjacent pelvic rest 34 andcomprisesan angular. structure .40 with two valleys 41 to receive'thepatient?sth igh and -avcentral raised portion 47. A transverse ,rod 42"is mounted in structure '40 and serves to move it bodily. asshownbylthedotted line in Figure 6. Controlled movement is lobtained by connectingrod 43.which joins rod 42 with crank 44 of motor'45 mounted on the undersideof platform 31. Guides 46 serve to keep rest139 in position .onplatform31.

'As shown in Figure7 central raised portion 47.,may be separate from theremainder of the angular structure .40 which becomes three parts, theoutside ones-60 being fastened to. platform .31 and the centralpartjfil, formerly part47 resting. on rubber. cushionsupports .62mounted on the top platform 31 asshown. A motor 48 with.;,a n eccentricweight .63 .is attached to an inside surface of central part 61 andserves to vibrate it to-ajdesireddegree by variable speed motor-.48.

' 'Platform 31is.reciprocated by means of a motor 49 which turnscrank52. by means of a gear box' 51. Link 50 joins the upright member.65. The upper end of member 65 is connected to upright 13 by anan'choringlink 6 6. Depending arms 67 connect the platform .31'withupright 65 through a sleeve '68 which is slidable on the member 65.Upright'65 pivots about.the movablefpivot at the end of-link '66 andmoves sleeve 68 back and forth to reciprocate or otherwise move platform31. 'jThesleeve experiences a small movement relative .to verticalarm65.

Where the sleeve 68 and arms 67 .do not support the upright member .onvertical 65 this function may be accomplished' by an.additional linkage.arrangement comprising links 6?, 7t); 71 and 72 shown in Figure 2.,Slide 73 permits movement of arm '72 and'therest of. the supportinglinkage. *W-here linkage j69"73 is dispensed with,- a free assembly-ofthe parts 65 and 68 and 'rounding thereof for ease of relativemovementis recommended. For example the rounded end of link 66 connectedto the; upper endof member 65 ;mayrest and slide on the upper surface ofsleeve 68. The inside of sleevej68 may be rounded to allow for therelative movement it" desired.

It will be understood'that the effective-throw of cranks 52 and 44 canbe varied by successive or adjustable pin and hole :connectionssimilarto those shown, but displaced to a smaller or larger radius. Therange-chadjustment need not be large. Thesameis true-of adjustable link36.

The operation .of the deviceis as followsrThe body is .placed :on thedevice with the thighs positioned-invalleys '41, the back .on headinclinell'and the pelvicregion resting onpelvic incline 34. Crank arm52, arm 54 and link '36 are adjusted for minimum motion. Where-mass 63is substituted for crank44 and connectingrod- 43,--a smallmass' 63 isused initially. The-head rest is adjnsted by means of set screws 26 and=28-for comfort and suitable treatment-angle. After these adjustmentsone or both .of-motors' 45 and-49 are opera-ted at low speed. Afterinitial operationat slowest-"speedfallof the adjustments are checked andthe amplitudes of the back and forth movement of platform 31, the up anddown movement of thigh rest 39 and the angular oscillation of pelvicrest 34 are adjusted for the particular treatment being given. It willbe seen from the kinematics of the linkage that the angle of rotation ofpelvic rest 34 is a function of the amplitude of displacement ofplatform 31 and allowance must be made accordingly. The adjustment oflink 36 should be made with care.

The control of amplitude is supplemented by a frequency control such assuitable rheostats in the circuits of the motors 45, 48 and 49. Ingeneral the mass and eccentricity are selected for an optimum value inrelation to the horsepower of motor 48 and the rheostat adjustment issuflicient for most treatments. As the rheostats are advanced the powerapplied is increased as well as the numbers of oscillations per secondof the several cyclic movements.

The present invention is not one that may be used recklessly or by thosewithout knowledge of body structure and function. Much harm can be doneby improper use as in cases of progressive and advanced arthritis wheredangerous irritations must be very carefully guarded against. There arecases in which the necessary rclaxation must be obtained in other waysrather than by the forced manipulation of the machine, gentle though itmay be. However, the machine is highly beneficial when properly appliedto problems of body posture.

The mounting 40 for thigh rest 39 may be made of sponge rubber, allowinga greater degree of freedom of vibration. Motor 49 may be connected togear reduction box 51 by flexible coupling.

While there have been described above what are at present believed to bepreferred forms of the invention, it will be understood that otherembodiments thereof falling within the true spirit may occur to thoseskilled in the art in the light of the present disclosure. All suchvariations as fall within the generic terminology of the followingclaims are intended to be covered thereby.

I claim:

1. In a device for improving posture, a frame, a thigh rest movablymounted for movement of translation on said frame, said thigh restproportioned to engage the outer, inner and ham string muscles of theupper thigh, a motor mounted on said thigh rest and arranged to impartvibratory movement through said rest to said muscles whereby the musclesof the upper thigh may be completely relaxed, all subconscious tensionsreleased and any downward and forward pull on the pelvis by said musclesreleased.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, said thigh rest being mountedon said frame by resilient means and said motor being mounted on theunderside of said thigh rest.

3. In a device for relaxing body muscles, a frame member, bed meansreciprocably mounted on said frame member, means on said bed means tosupport the lower portion of the body, means on said frame to supportthe upper part of the body, and means to reciprocate said bed means.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3, said means on said bed meanscomprising a thigh rest and a pelvic incline mounted for difieringmovements.

5. The combination set forth in claim 3, said means on said bed meanscomprising a pelvic incline and a thigh rest, mounted to reciprocatecyclically with said bed means, means acting on said pelvic inclinesimultaneously to move it upward and headward whereby theischialtuberosities are used to rock the pelvis toward the verd ticalposition, causing flexing of the spine and movement of the segments ofthe spine.

6. ln apparatus of the character described, mounting means, an inclinefor the upper portion of the body, a pelvic incline, said inclines beingcarried by said mounting means and being related as the sides of anobtuse angle adapted in conjunction with said mounting means to supporta human body and means acting on one of said inclines to vary theangular relation of said inclines.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6, said pelvic incline beingpivoted adjacent its lowest point, said last named means acting torotate said pelvic incline about its pivot.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6, a reciprocating platformcarried by said mounting member, said pelvic incline being pivotedadjacent its lowest point to said platform and link means connectingsaid mounting member and said pelvic incline at a point removed from itspivot whereby said pelvic incline is pivoted about a moving pivot, thepelvis is rocked and the spine flexed.

9. A machine for improving posture comprising, frame means, a headincline, adjustable head supporting means mounted on said head incline,a reciprocating platform, means to reciprocate said platform, means toadjust the distance of travel of said platform, a pelvic incline pivotedto the herd end of said platform, link means connecting the free end ofsaid pelvic incline and said frame means, a thigh rest mounted on saidplatform with sponge rubher, and a motor having an eccentric loadmounted on said thigh rest whereby the muscles of the body are allrelaxed and the pelvis is permitted to regain the vertical and 38118 tovary the speed of said motor.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9, said head incline having twoparallel raised surfaces spaced to exert an upward and inward force onthe ribs.

11. A machine for improving posture comprising, a mounting frame, afixed inclined support for the upper portion of the body carried by saidframe, an adjustable head support mounted on said fixed inclinedsupport, reciprocating means carried by said mounting frame, an inclinedpelvic support pivoted to said reciprocating means, means coacting withsaid frame and said pelvic support acting to rotate the pelvic supportabout its pivot upon reciprocation of said reciprocating means and meansto vary the amplitude and frequency of movement of said reciprocatingmeans and said pelvic support.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11, a vibratory thigh restmounted on said reciprocating means adjacent said pelvic support.

13. In a machine of the character described, an inclined pelvis restmounted for controlled movement of rotation and translation.

14. In a machine of the character described, a fixed head support andmeans to rock the pelvis upward and backward toward said head supportwhereby the spine is flexed, muscles relaxed and circulation promoted.

15. In a machine of the character described a frame having moving pivotmeans mounted thereon, a pelvic support pivoted on said moving pivotmeans, means to move the pivot means, and means to rotate said pelvicsupport about said pivot.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15, means to control the degreeof rock of said pelvic support.

Mininberg May 20, 1947 Tammen Apr. 10, 1951

